Sea Lion Island is the southernmost
inhabited island of the Falklands, a paradise-like place and nature reserve
with amazing wildlife. It is considered as one of the most unique places in the
world as within a total surface of 2,236 acres one can encounter Southern Sea
Lion, Southern Elephant Seal, Orca; 4 different species of penguins (Gentoo,
Magellanic, Rockhopper and King Penguin), but also the rare Striated Caracara,
a bird of prey.
A FIGAS (Falkland Islands Government Air
Service) flight with one of their characteristic, red BN Islander planes took
us from Stanley Airport via Fox Bay (West Falkland) to Sea Lion Island. A very
scenic, low-altitude flight, with some awesome views of the mountains west of
Stanley with their characteristic stone runs of glacial origin, the Mount
Pleasant Airbase (MPA), Darwin, Goose Green, Lafonia, the rugged coast on both
sides of the Falkland Sound, the lovely twin village of Fox Bay, and then the
remote shores of southern East Falkland, Speedwell Island and over a stretch of
sea towards Sea Lion Island! The Falklands’ white beaches with turquoise waters
look as splendid from the air as from the ground, but their colour certainly is
deceptive as far as the temperatures are concerned.
We were once again greeted by the
friendly and very hospitable staff of the Sea Lion Lodge as soon as we had
landed on the island. Melina was the only member of our team who had never been
to Sea Lion Island before. What really impressed her was the sight of a Gentoo
Penguin colony right next to the lodge and all the noise they make. Sleeping
here was definitely an experience itself, since the loud voices of the penguins
were the last thing you hear as you drift into sleep; paradise indeed.
Unlike our previous visit in January
2013, our scientific diving team was not able to conduct any diving or
snorkelling activity, due to the Orcas’ hunting season (November – December).
Thankfully, this did not affect our work, since we managed to find the Maullinia-infected Durvillea antarctica that we were looking for, during a low tide
search right at the beginning of our stay. As far as Sea Lion Island is
concerned, this meant mission accomplished.
A documentary of
the Orcas in Sea-Lion Island shows one of the places most commonly used by
Orcas hunting for sea elephants and sea lions, the so-called Orca Pool. The
Orca Pool is at the right end of a long beach were Elephant Seals usually rest.
Waking up at 3:30 am was definitely challenging, but not unbearable since the
thought of sighting Orcas was enough to energize us. The first morning was not
so lucky for us, since no Orcas showed up, but that did not put us off, since the
next morning at 4 am, we were again on the beach and immediately greeted by
three Orcas, swimming next to the coast. With mixed feelings, we watched the
Orcas moving outside of the “pool” trying to decide how to approach their prey.
We were just observers of nature’s survival chain; the three Orcas finally
managed to snatch one of the Elephant Seals in the sea. Immediately a lot of
birds approached the site, looking for the remains of the kill. The Orcas left
suddenly and everything was calm once again, with the Elephant Seals lying on
the beach, or fighting with each other and the Magellanic Penguins passing by
us to get into the sea for their morning food.
Shortly, a FIGAS flight will take us
back to Stanley. Leaving this amazing wildlife paradise behind, pictures of
Penguins, Elephant Seals, Sea Lions, Birds and the Orcas swimming in the
sunrise, remain in our minds. In this remote place, on the southernmost edge of
the Falkland Islands, where human activity is limited to three buildings and a
small airplane strip, nature goes its way…
No comments:
Post a Comment